Talks

Wednesday, 27 July 2016

Bradford had another military display of a very imposing
character on Wednesday 3rd February 1915 the troops of the 2nd
(Reserve) West Riding Brigade Royal Field Artillery and the 6th
(Reserve) Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment parading in Town Hall Square.

The purpose of the parade was for each soldier to receive at
the hands of the Lord Mayor (Ald George Robinson) the souvenir tobacco (or
sweets) box which is being given to each of the territorial troops of the city
and some 1,500 men were recipients of the gift.

So happy a function had been made possible through the
instrumentality of the manager of the Empire theatre (MR Percy Craig) who
besides promoting concerts, had, together with friends organised a fund for the
laudible object of purchasing presents. The boxes, which are enamelled with the
city coat of arms and inscribed “In honour of the Bradford Territorials 1914-15”
were distributed to the Bradford men in camp about Christmas time whilst
arrangements are being made for the ‘Pals Battalion and the Bradford Men in the
Yorkshire Dragoons to have a similar token of the city’s appreciation of their
services on behalf of the country.

The ceremony, which took place on the steps of the Town Hall
attracted large crowds of people. The members of ‘Company ‘Pals’ battalion
constituted a Guard of Honour.

The Lord Mayor said “no doubt these boxes will be prized by
the men as a little memento, and when they look at them they will remember they
are being thought about at home.

MR Percy Craig said that in providing the boxes they were
anxious to show them how proud Bradford was of their splendid effort for dear
old England. They believed that if they came back to the city again after being
at the front and he hoped they would, they would still have the boxes which he
added had been made in England and not in Germany and they will last forever”

The soldiers then marched in single file to the
accompaniment of the music of the Artillery Brigade band the Lord Mayor and
Lady Mayoress each handing out the boxes. For over half an hour they were kept
busy.

Tuesday, 26 July 2016

On Wednesday 4th
August 1915 a great patriotic demonstration took place in Bradford the
highlight of which was the visit of the 1st Bradford Pals from Ripon.

“The men of the Bradford 1st Pals battalion to
the full strength of 1,030 rank and file were conveyed by two special trains
from Ripon and arrived at Bradford Midland station just before noon. They were
accorded a most enthusiastic reception by the public and the station was
crowded with friends of the men. The general bearing of the men was splendid
and their training has undoubtedly rendered them as efficient a line as any
infantry line in the country. Bradford is indeed proud of them and so long as
we can raise battalions of this description we cannot fail to have full
confidence in the final triumph of our arms.

Colonel Warden, who saw distinguished service in the South
African War, was in full command, and at a word the men left the trains and
came smartly to attention on the platform. They carried full kit and rifles and
were accompanied by their bugle and drum band.”

Valley Parade
refreshments

“The battalion proceeded by way of market street and Darley
street to the Valley Parade football ground which was found to be admirably
suited for the purpose of the mid-day meal. Here the arrangements of the citizens’
army league were excellent. Members of the league had prepared to serve
luncheon without a moments delay. The men were divided into three companies and
as each company passed from the ground into the main stand the men were served
with rations and passed to seats on the stand. Mineral waters and bottled beer
were optional, and it was remarkable what a large number of the men preferred
the former. The men’s luncheon basket contained two substantial beef and ham
sandwiches and fruit tarts. The men themselves admitted afterwards that this
was the best they had so far received in connection with their route marches
and they all appeared to thoroughly enjoy themselves. The officers assembled
with the men for lunch and partook in the same rations.”

Patriotic Demonstration

“The demonstration in front of the town hall was marked by a
magnificent enthusiasm which reflected the true feelings of the people. It was
a happy cheerful gathering made gay with brilliant waving flags and glorious
sunshine but beneath it all there could be felt a solemn note of serious
purpose. The people of the city had gathered in their thousands not only to see
a wonderful and memorable spectacle but also and chiefly to have a part in
affirming (in the words of the resolution displayed on three large sheets affixed
to the upper part of the Town Hall)

“that on the anniversary of the
declaration of a righteous war this meeting of the citizens of Bradford records
its inflexible determination to continue to a victorious end the struggle in
maintenance of those ideals of liberty and justice which are the common and
sacred cause of the allies”

Soon after noon the people began to assemble in the
neighbourhood of the Town Hall and by 1 o’clock the square and the surrounding
streets were impassable. A vast thong filled the square extending almost to
Thornton Road and Manchester Road on one side and to Bridge Street and Leeds
Road on the other. Market Street and Darley Street also were thickly filled by
crowds waiting to see the Pals pass by and every direction fresh contingents
hurried up to swell the gathering. At this time the crowd in front of the town
hall filled the whole space from end to end.

In front of the Town Hall entrance a large platform had been
erected and the red covering of the floor and the national emblems inlaid
around the balustrade made a bright splash of colour in the crowd. On all the
neighbouring buildings too as well as on the Town Hall flags and banners were
floating, above the Town Hall gateway being the flags of the Allies and the
Union Jack flying from a standard in front. It was above all, however, the
animation of the crowd which made the gathering one of so such vivid
distinction. In the square, in the surrounding windows and on balconies and
roofs the people were assembled and each one in the concourse seemed to feel
that he had a part in an event of national import, and on every face there was
the light of enthusiasm.

Artillery and pals
arrive

Shortly before 2 o’clock a large contingent of the 3rd
2nd West Riding Artillery Brigade marched down from Belle Vue
Barracks under the command of Major Priestley and took up position reserved for
them in the square their band joining the Yorkshire Military Band and the
Police Band on the large stand which had been erected during the morning.
Shortly afterwards there was another cheer and then the Bradford pals under the
command of Lieutenant Colonel C W Warden came marching smartly along the street
and halted in the square opposite the artillery. On every side the people
sought eagerly to obtain a view of the sun burned Bradford lads, but seeing was
difficult in so large a throng and soon all eyes were turned again to the
platform expectant o the arrival of the Lord Mayor.

The crowd it should be said
was a very orderly one and the task of the police on duty was a light one in keeping
free passages and other necessary assistance the boy scouts also rendered
valuable aid in distributing papers with the order of proceedings.

Profoundly Stirring

The ceremony itself was one of emotional solemnity, brief
but profoundly stirring. Not within the memory of the oldest Bradfordian could
be recalled so impressive a demonstration of the citizens feelings. No cheers rent the air: there was no outward sign, beyond
the vast crowd, to indicate the emotions which all must have felt. The day has
not arrived for that yet!

Indeed, the feature of the whole affair was the silent way
in which the people pledged their determination to continue the struggle for
liberty. The restrained demeanour of the crowd was significant. It seemed to
indicate an appreciation of seriousness of the situation after a year’s warfare
and the quiet strength which is bound up in the people to face the future with
confidence.

The approval of the resolution which was submitted by the
Lord Mayor, was signified by the holding up of hands and immediately the band
struck up the national anthem some special versus for which were lustily sung. The
pronouncement of the benediction by the Vicar of Bradford (Rev F T Woods)
concluded the ceremony, which was followed by a march past by the troops, the
Lord Mayor taking the salute.

The march of the Pals through the city to Peel Park was
watched by dense crowds of people, who continuously cheered the soldiers as
they passed by. Subsequently the full strength of the two battalions were
reviewed at Peel Park by the Lord Mayor.

About this blog

This is the blog for WestYorkshireLives and the BradfordWW1 project. It provides insights into events throughout Bradford's rich history and the issues faced by the people living in Bradford and surrounding districts during the First World War. Many of the same issues will have been faced by people across the country so hopefully this blog will be useful to a wide range of people.